Page 100 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Washington, DC

98  W ASHINGT ON , DC AREA B Y AREA

w National Museum
of Women in
the Arts
1250 New York Ave, NW. Map 3 C3.
Tel (202) 783-5000, 800-222-7270.
q Metro Center. Open 10am–5pm
Mon–Sat, noon–5pm Sun.
Closed Jan 1, Thanksgiving, Dec 25.
8 & 7 - = ∑ nmwa.org

This museum of women’s art
houses works that span five
centuries, from the Renaissance
to the present day. The collect-
ion was started in the 1960s by
Wilhelmina Holladay and her
husband, who gathered
paintings, sculpture, and
photog raphy from all over Impressive exterior of the National Museum of Women in the Arts
the world.
The museum operated to the building. The state-of- thriving business district, enjoyed
out of the Holladays’ private the-art Kiplinger Research great popularity. The fate of the
residence for several years, Library and Reading Room theater was sealed, however, on
until it acquired a more houses extensive collections April 14, 1865, when President
permanent home in this of historic materials, including Abraham Lincoln was shot here
Renaissance Revival landmark rare publications, prints, maps, by John Wilkes Booth while
building, formerly a Masonic photographs, manuscripts, and watching a performance.
Temple. The collection has memorabilia. There are also Across the road from the
as its highlights masterpieces lectures, workshops, and theater, Petersen House, where
by female American artists. videos. Washington Perspectives, the wounded president died
Some of the outstanding an overview exhibit, features a the next morning, has been
works on display from the giant map of the city set into preserved as a museum.
19th century include The Bath the floor. After the tragedy, people
(1891) by Mary Cassatt and stopped patronizing the theater,
The Cage (1885) by Berthe and Ford was forced to sell the
Morisot. Among the works building to the federal govern-
by 20th-century artists are ment a year later. It was left to
Elizabeth Cutlett’s Singing their spiral into decay for nearly a
Songs (1992) and Self-Portrait century until the government
Between the Curtains, Dedi cation decided to restore it to its
to Trotsky (1937) by Mexican original splendor.
artist Frida Kahlo. The museum The theater now stages small
shop sells a range of gifts, also Painting of John Wilkes Booth poised to productions. The Presidential
created by women. shoot Abraham Lincoln Box is permanently decorated
in Lincoln’s honor.
e Carnegie r Ford’s Theatre
Library Building 511 10th St between E St & F St, NW.
801 K St (Mount Vernon Sq), NW. Map 3 C3. Tel (202) 426-6924.
q Gallery Place-Chinatown, Metro
Map 3 C2. Tel (202) 249-3955.
q Gallery Place–Chinatown, Center. Open 9am–4:30pm daily with
Mt Vernon Sq. Kiplinger Research free timed ticket (except matinee or
Library: Tel (202) 249-3954. Open by rehearsal days – call ahead). 7
appointment 10am–5pm Tue–Fri. Petersen House: Closed Dec 25.
Closed Jan 1, Jul 4, Thanksgiving, Dec Open 9:30am–5:30pm daily with
25. 7 - = ∑ historydc.org free timed ticket. Closed Dec 25.
= ∑ fordstheatre.org
The Carnegie Library Building
was once Washington’s central John T. Ford, a theatrical pro-
library. It hosts various events ducer, built this small jewel of
and exhibitions, and in 2003 a theater in 1863. Washington
the Washington Historical was a Civil War boomtown, and Exterior of Ford’s Theatre, site of the
Society moved its head quarters the theater, located in the shooting of President Lincoln

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